Letter: Diverse bench vital to social justice reforms

Monday

Jul 9, 2018 at 12:01 AM

In August 2013 The Ledger ran an article, “Lack of Black Judges on the 10th Circuit Bench Raises a Concern.” The 10th Judicial Circuit includes Polk, Highland and Hardee counties. The article quoted Judge William Bruce Smith, “I am embarrassed that we don’t have an African American judge on the bench.”

That was five years ago and we still have no African American judges in this judicial circuit.

As a Polk attorney since 1981 and 40-year member of the Florida bar, I am embarrassed, too, and beyond frustrated, as are many in the bar and the minority community over this lack of representation on the bench.

Although plenty of qualified judge candidates have come forward over the years, there has not been an appointment from the governor’s office of an African-American since the 2000 appointment of Judge Karla Foreman Wright. That is 18 years!

Not to take away from the individuals who have been appointed judge by Gov. Rick Scott, it is way past time for the governor’s office to act and fix this problem of gross under-representation.

Social justice reforms are needed in our system to achieve fair and impartial courts and to earn community trust in our judicial system. A diverse bench is very important to achieve these. We in the 10th Judicial Circuit deserve better.

Kristen Carlson, Lakeland

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.